ISO 9241-171:2025
Ergonomics of human-system interaction - Part 171: Software accessibility
This document specifies requirements and gives guidelines for designing accessible software for people with the widest range of physical, sensory and cognitive abilities, including those who are temporarily or situationally disabled, and the elderly. It addresses software considerations for accessibility that complement general design for usability as addressed by parts of the ISO 9241 series, especially ISO 9241-11 and ISO 9241-210.This document is applicable to the accessibility of interactive systems. It addresses a wide range of software (e.g. home, mobile, office, web, learning support and library systems). It promotes the increased usability of systems for a wider range of users in the widest range of contexts of use.This document does not apply to the behaviour of, or requirements for, assistive technologies (including assistive software), but it does address the use of assistive technologies as an integrated component of interactive systems.It is intended for use by those responsible for the specification, design, development, evaluation and procurement of software platforms and software applications.
This document specifies requirements and gives guidelines for designing accessible software for people with the widest range of physical, sensory and cognitive abilities, including those who are temporarily or situationally disabled, and the elderly. It addresses software considerations for accessibility that complement general design for usability as addressed by parts of the ISO 9241 series, especially ISO 9241-11 and ISO 9241-210.
This document is applicable to the accessibility of interactive systems. It addresses a wide range of software (e.g. home, mobile, office, web, learning support and library systems). It promotes the increased usability of systems for a wider range of users in the widest range of contexts of use.
This document does not apply to the behaviour of, or requirements for, assistive technologies (including assistive software), but it does address the use of assistive technologies as an integrated component of interactive systems.
It is intended for use by those responsible for the specification, design, development, evaluation and procurement of software platforms and software applications.
ISO 9241-171:2008 provides ergonomics guidance and specifications for the design of accessible software for use at work, in the home, in education and in public places. It covers issues associated with designing accessible software for people with the widest range of physical, sensory and cognitive abilities, including those who are temporarily disabled, and the elderly. It addresses software considerations for accessibility that complement general design for usability as addressed by ISO 9241-110, ISO 9241-11 to ISO 9241-17, ISO 14915 and ISO 13407. ISO 9241-171:2008 is applicable to the accessibility of interactive systems. It addresses a wide range of software (e.g. office, Web, learning support and library systems). It promotes the increased usability of systems for a wider range of users. While it does not cover the behaviour of, or requirements for, assistive technologies (including assistive software), it does address the use of assistive technologies as an integrated component of interactive systems. It is intended for use by those responsible for the specification, design, development, evaluation and procurement of software platforms and software applications.
The Requirements department helps you quickly locate within the normative text:
- mandatory clauses to satisfy,
- non-essential but useful clauses to know, such as permissions and recommendations.
The identification of these types of clauses is based on the document “ISO / IEC Directives, Part 2 - Principles and rules of structure and drafting of ISO documents ”as well as on a constantly enriched list of verbal forms.
With Requirements, quickly access the main part of the normative text!

At a glance, you will be able to identify the additions, deletions or modifications to a text, table, figure and formula.

The Redlines + service is offered to you on the collection of French standards in force, in French language and in HTML and PDF format.
For an overview of the service, click on View a standard in redline format
COBAZ is the simple and effective solution to meet the normative needs related to your activity, in France and abroad.
Available by subscription, CObaz is THE modular solution to compose according to your needs today and tomorrow. Quickly discover CObaz!
Request your free, no-obligation live demo
I discover COBAZ